







SONGS OF 






PEACE 






andWAR 






By 
HENRY F. WELLS 






'» ' 

SUFFOLK PUBLISHING CO. 
BOSTON, MASS. 














Copyright, 1917 

By Suffolk Publishing Co. 

Boston, Mass. 



"'i 



p' 



-t> 



OCT 3 (917 



LOUIS E. CROSSCUP CO., Printer* 
287 Atlantic Avenue, Boston, Mass. 



-^^ ( 



Jl WORD OF CHEER 

Jl bright, sweet smile on a winsome face, 
In a tender heart a wee, small place ; 

^hese are the best that life can bring. 
Smiles are the songs the sweet birds sing ; 

Lighten the path for a care-worn soul, 
*^will brighten thine own to the end, — the goal. 

Jl cheery nod when the voa^ seems drear, 
Jl hand-clasp firm or a word of cheer ; 

^hese are the deeds with cost so small, 
^hat lighten the burden for one and all; 

Kindness bestrewn o'er the paths men fare 
Will win you a Kingdom beyond compare. 



TABLE OF CONTENTS 

Bow Legged Bill 29 

Confidence . 8 

Forgive 26 

Greece, To 59 

Homeward Bound 32 

Indian Fighter, The 9 

Inheritance of Sin, The 18 

Invasion Begins, The 31 

Island of Dreams, The 33 

Just Fight 49 

Justice 21 

Kaiser's Dream, The 16 

Little Trapper, The 54 

Maiden's Reverie, A 47 

Map and the War, The 12 

Memorial Poem 58 

My Own Sweetheart 60 



TABLE OF CONTENTS 

(Continued J 

Omen, The 45 

On to the Trenches 16 

O, Pity the Fishes 48 

O, Pity the Wishes 46 

Our Garden 20 

Out of the Ground 11 

Pie Eating Contest, The .... 50 

Portsmouth, The 22 

Quitters and the Stayer, The ... 23 

Return of the Heroes, The ... 35 

Scarlet Woman, The 37 

Shadows in a Pool 26 

Unfinished Letter, The 24 

Vision, A 28 

War 22 

War Lord's Call, The 8 



SONGS OF PEACE AND WAR 



THE WAR LORD'S CALL 

Only three in that human stream, 
A husband, brother, and son; 

Standing erect where the sunlight's gleam 
Flashes on sword and gun. 

Only a woman, wet-eyed, dumb, 

Hearing the trumpets blow; 
Listening to sound of beaten drum, 

Gazing in silent woe. 



There they charge with valiant host, 

A husband, brother, and son; 
Knowing naught whether field is lost, 

Or whether the day is won. 

Only three, yet they rush along 

In the ranks with comrades brave; 
Filling the gaps in that maddened throng 

Which no power on earth can save. 

There they are lying, cold and stark, 

A husband, brother, and son; 
When night shrouds the earth in peaceful dark. 

And the fateful day is done. 

Page seven 



SONGS OF PEACE AND WAR 



A woman mourns in her darkened cot, 

A woman, wet-eyed, alone; 
Wondering how for her saddened lot 

Will myth of glory atone. 

No comfort hers when the war lord said, 
"They gave all they could give; 

The Nation mourns for its hero dead, 
Who died that we might live." 

Only a mother, sister, wife, 

Only a woman, — that's all; 
Who gave to her country more than life, 

Who answered the war lord's call. 



CONFIDENCE 

Let's stand together, you and I, 

We'll fight the battle through; 
There are no mountain peaks too high 

For me to climb with you. 
My conscience is an open book, 

You need not search in vain; 
My glances tell you by a look, 

I'm yours in joy or pain. 
Page eight 



SONGS OF PEACE AND WAR 



THE INDIAN FIGHTER 

Old Buffalo Bill and scouts of skill, 
Many of whom are with us still, 

Weren't a marker to old Tom Gray. 
He'd tell of fights and gruesome sights, 
Talk all day long and mostly nights 

Of some bloody Indian fray. 

In the Wooly West he was at his best. 
When he put it over all the rest, 

And licked four men with ease. 
With booze for a bribe, Tom would describe 
How alone and unaided he vanquished a tribe 

Of bold and bloody Pawnees. 

We stood the stuff from the darned old bluff. 
Till the boys all thought we'd had enough. 

Thought it time to draw our knives; 
But our hands were stayed when told of a raid 
Where he captured a squaw and an Indian maid, 

And made them both his wives. 

To swallow both, the boys were loath. 
And then and there took a solemn oath, 

To give Tom a demonstration. 
So with many a shout we started out, 
And left Big Red's in a noisy rout. 

And hiked for the Reservation. 



Page nine 



SONGS OF PEACE AND WAR 



There we fixed a job with old Bald Knob 
To come to town with his howling mob, 

And give old Tom a fright; 
With many a feint, but without complaint. 
The braves rode in with their togs and paint, — 

They sure were a scary sight. 

We found Tom dry, filled him full of rye, 
Till he scarce could see from either eye, — 

He had some thirst to slake; 
He thought for a spell he'd sure struck Hell 
When those red-skins gave their war-time yell 

And tied him to a stake. 

Then they made a smudge, and you can judge, 
To see Tom there squared many a grudge. 

As we watched him through the smoke; 
And when some laggart laid on a fagot, 
To get one look at that old braggart 

Was sure a heartsome joke. 

We soon formed ranks for the final pranks. 
And 'killed' the reds with a lot of 'blanks,' 

Tom's 'rescue' was completed; 
Some braves were found stretched on the ground, 
But the yells had ceased, — there was no sound. 

They had left the field 'defeated.' 

Old Tom's near roast has changed his boast. 
He doesn't tell of painted host 
Page ten 



SONGS OF PEACE AND WAR 



And strut 'round Red's saloon; 
He admits it's right — his fiercest fight 
Was while on his back in the dead of night 

With the Red-man in the moon. 



t» V 



OUT OF THE GROUND 

The basis of wealth is a thing never bought, 

**Success" must be founded on fact; 
A crooked deed or dishonest thought 

Will ruin agreement or pact. 
All effort must have a beginning, 

And that which man calls "success'* 
Must be free from all guile and sinning 

For wealth at the ending to bless. 

Dame Nature's vast store-house of treasure, 

With motive honest and fair, 
Will sometimes reward without measure 

Those who toil patiently there. 
Achievement can never be surer. 

More permanent, lasting, and sound, 
Nor wealth be attained that is purer 

Than that which man takes from the ground. 

Page eleven 



SONGS OF PEACE AND WAR 



THE MAP AND THE WAR 

An old man strolled along the beach, 
An urchin close at hand; 

While stretching far as eye could reach 
Were miles of gleaming sand. 

The urchin cried, "Please, grandad, tell 

A story of the war; 
Of how the soldiers charged and fell, 

And what they're fighting for. 

**My teacher said, 'twill not be strange 
If all we've learned is naught; 
The map of all the world may change 
When this dread war is fought." 

The old man, gazing out to sea, 

Turned to the little chap 
And said to him, impressively, 
"My boy, we'll make a map. 

**My cane will answer for the chalk. 
For blackboard here's the beach; 
I'll try to show you as we talk. 
The lesson war will teach. 
Page twelve 



SONGS OF PEACE AND WAR 



"Great Russia is the largest place, 
You see it at a glance; 
While this is Germany's broad face, 
And on the left is France. 

"There, Belgium will much smaller be. 
While here's an Island tight; 
And this is Austria-Hungary, 
With Serbia on the right. 

"And here's two smaller sections yet, 
I trace them with my cane; 
For we must surely not forget 
To draw Alsace-Lorraine." 

The old man paused and stood erect 

(The sea swept close at hand). 
And said, "My boy, we'll now select 

Some firmer place on land; 

"I'll there a tale of war unfold, 
While ocean-tides enwrap 
The land, for their great power untold 
Will wash away our map. 

"You ask me what the war is for. 

The meaning of it all; 
What glory to the conqueror,— 
Why soldiers charge and fall. 

Page thirteen 



SONGS OF PEACE AND WAR 



"Ah, boy, the questions you propound, 
Are ones for which reply 
Must of some chancellor profound 
Be asked, — not such as I. 

"I could, alas, your youthful heart 
Thrill with the tales of blood, — 
Of carnage shot and shell have wrought. 
Of battle's changing flood. 

"Or tell of Verdun, Namur, Liege, — 
Some valorous deed recite, — 
Describe a desperate bayonet charge, — 
The homeless peasants' flight. 

"And I could tell of sorties brief 
Which cost a thousand lives; 
Or speak the anguish and the grief 
Of mothers, sisters, wives. 

"Perchance I'd tell of a million men 
Who rose at a ruler's nod; 
Or change the shifting scene to when 
They bowed their heads to God." 

'Twas then the old man ceased to speak. 

His gaze appeared to roam; 
It seemed as if the cause he'd seek 
In ocean's tumbling foam. 
Page fourteen 



SONGS OF PEACE AND WAR 



"Ah, lad," he cried, and turned his head, 
To gaze on the silent youth, 

"As well inquire of the unknown dead. 
To learn the awful truth. 

"Ask why a sovereign's heart is swayed. 

By Duty or Desire; 
Ask why a man seems unafraid 
Of carnage, blood, and fire. 

"Ask if for power or vanity. 
By preconcerted plan, 
This play of inhumanity, 
'Gainst man and fellow-man. 

"Go seek the countless unmarked graves,- 
The price of war's sad toll; 
Ask why old ocean's tireless waves 
Wash out my cane-drawn scroll. 

"When foaming waves on gleaming sand 
Shall cease to surge and lap; 
Firm lines may then divide the land 
On earth's oft-changing map." 



«b "b 



Page jijtetn 



SONGS OF PEACE AND WAR 



THE KAISER^S DREAM 

"Avaunt! Ye shades of night, avaunt! 

Back to thy caverns creep! 
Why come ye from the grave to haunt 

My troubled, weaned sleep? 
Begone, ye ghosts, ambition's slaves, 

Ye've made the sacrifice; 
Return to thy unhallowed graves, 

'Tis I who pay the price! 



"The price, O God, the price I pay! 

Behold the mighty host! 
That grinning, ghostly, gaunt array 

Of countless souls I've lost! 
Fade, sombre shades of stricken wives. 

Thou gavest all to me; 
I answer for a million lives, 

'Tis mine the penalty! 

"Turn back, yon mother's weeping shade, 

Thy grief at last I know; 
I know the sacrifice ye made. 

Ah, yes, I know the woe! 
Comrade, begone! Ye bravely led 

The army's last advance; 
Ah, how my minions fought and bled 

Who took that fatal chance! 



Page sixteen 



SONGS OF PEACE AND WAR 



"But hark! Whence comes that mournful sound 

From out yon darkling gloom? 
Those moans, that solemn voice profound, 

Forecasting frightful doom? 
*As ye do to the least of these,' 

Ah, how they lash and flail! 
O, let the sobbing voices cease! 

Pray still the infant's wail! 



"Forward, my legions to the fray! 

Charge o'er the last red field! 
Forward, the final price we'll pay. 

But not a foot we'll yield! 
Backward, ye shades of night! Thy pall 

Casts o'er my brain a spell! 
Forward, once more the bugle-call! 

We'll charge the gates of Hell! 




Pagg seventeen 



SONGS OF PEACE AND WAR 



THE INHERITANCE OF SIN 

There's many a lad and there's many a lass, 

In youth's free companionship thrown, 
Who could they but gaze in futurity's glass, — 

See the fruit e'er the seed was sown ; 
Would pause e'er they yielded to wild caprice 

And search for the pathway's trend; 
Would pause on the brink of the precipice 

And gaze on the pathway's end. 

You may hear if you list the garnerer's horn, 

And behold if you seek the goal; 
You may know what you owe to a life unborn, 

Or learn what you owe to a soul. 
Your lives are your own you loudly aver, 

As you stumble along in your aimless way; 
Of pleasures and passions there are none to confer, — 

Have you reckoned the cost? Are you ready to pay? 

Does life give you power over lives yet to be? 

Will it give you the strength to check coldness and shame? 
Does it make you divine, let you read destiny 

For a soul you brought forth without honor or name? 
Will time restore glances of love and esteem, 

He showed in his babyhood day, 
When your arm on his shoulder protection would seem. 

And the world with its verdict frowned not at his play? 
Page eighteen 



SONGS OF PEACE AND WAR 



Have you paused to consider this life will have end? 

Will you pass down the valley and shadow alone? 
Will you have at your bedside the child as a friend? 

Will penitence then for a ruined life atone? 
O, then you will list to the garnerer's horn, 

Death will then show you the goal 
You prepared for a life while 'twas yet unborn; — 

The debt that you owed to a soul. 

For there* s many a lad and there's many a lasSy 

In youth's free companionship thrown^ 
WhOy could they but gaze in futurity's glass , — 

See the fruit e'er the seed was sown; 
Would pause e'er they yielded to wild caprice 

And search for the pathway's trend; 
Would pause on the brink of the precipice y 

And gaze on the pathway s end. 




Page nineteen 



SONGS OF PEACE AND WAR 



OUR GARDEN 

We planted our seeds in rows without number, 
Then waited the whole summer long — 

Not a melon, a squash, or a single cucumber — 
Not a bird cheered us on with its song! 

Our neighbors replied when we asked them the cause, 

**It's water the garden most needs"; 
We soaked down that garden for days without pause, 
But our harvest was nothing but weeds. 

Did I say but weeds? Hark! — how memory tugs — 

I surely forgot something more: 
The place was a haven for all kinds of bugs 

That came by the dozen and score. 

They stuck on my face, they crawled down my back, 
Where my skin was exposed they were there; 

At nightfall I found them, alas and alack, 
Curled up and asleep in my hair! 

In figuring costs we found we were stuck — 

We shall never try gardening more; 
Hereafter we'll purchase our fresh garden truck 

At the little old grocery store. 

Page twenty 



SONGS OF PEACE AND WAR 



JUSTICE 

Justice! Can you find it? 

Is it hidden in a well? 
Can a seer with his magic 

Bring it forth by a spell? 
Is it ever so apparent 

That its presence may be known? 
Can a skeptic or a cynic 

Have a demonstration shown? 

Have you ever as a witness 

Seen it fully shown in court, 
Where innocence and virtue 

Stand before tribunal bought? 
Are those twelve brother mortals 

Really tried and true? 
Or are they only human, 

The same as I,— and you? 

Alas, 'tis but a vision. 

But a dream we learned in youth, 
Which old age has clearly proven 

Has no meaning, has no truth; 
Still, why not go on a-dreaming. 

Why not struggle in the van 
Of full faith in human nature. 

Of full faith in fellow-man? 

Page twenty -one 



SONGS OF PEACE AND WAR 



WAR 

War is a Bacchanalian feast 
Which changes man to untamed beast. 
And drives to deeds of lust and shame 
To consecrate a ruler's name; 
Which shows by countless unmarked graves 
The fate of driven, human slaves; 
Which throttles Justice, tramples Right, 
And substitutes a nation's Might; 
Which fosters Enmity and Hate, 
Where Love should ever dominate; 
Which leaves on every heart a scar, — 
This, my countrymen, is war. 

Stretched on a bed of pain untold, 
And magnified a thousand-fold 
Lies youth, — his shattered frame war-torn. 
His pleading eyes, ambition shorn. 
Bespeak the horror and the shame 
That laid him there for master's fame, — 
The spark of vigorous life snuflFed out 
By noxious fumes. The frenzied shout 
Which pierces night's grim, hideous gloom. 
And fills the fearful charnel-room; 
Such scenes the souls of men abhor, — 
These, the attributes of war. 
Pagi twenty-two 



SONGS OF PEACE AND WAR 



Strewn with its dead the sodden field 
Which once to golden grain gave yield; 
The soil lies dank, no hand to till, 
In ruins granary and mill; 
Where oft with steady whirr and hum 
Of industry, the wheels lie dumb; 
And saddest far of war's sad fate, 
The peaceful homes made desolate; 
Where to the end of darkened lives 
Alone live anguished mothers, wives; 
Ah, theirs the heart-break none can tell: 
War, my countrymen, is Hell! 




Page twenty-three 



SONGS OF PEACE AND WAR 



THE UNFINISHED LETTER 

(a poem of the trenches) 

Mother, I write on battle-field, 

While cannon flash and roar; 
I crouch behind an earth-work shield, 

O'erhead the shrapnel soar; 
I gaze above with bated breath. 

Searching the lowering sky 
For missiles bringing frightful death. 

Hurled from the ships that fly. 

I try to think of days of youth, 

While kneeling by your side, 
I prayed aloud the God of Truth 

To be my earthly guide. 
Oh, where is God tonight, mother? 

Is he in heaven above? 
Did he not teach 'twas right, mother, 

Our foemen we should love? 

Could I have chosen place of birth 

I would not wound and kill; 
I would not be a slave of earth 

And fight against my will. 
Did God ordain in His great plan 

That I should be a slave? 
Or did he make of me a man. 

To use the strength He gave? 
Page twenty-Jour 



SONGS OF PEACE AND WAR 



I hope that you can understand 

These words so dimly spelt; 
A fear of death now shakes my hand, — 

The first that I have felt; 
*Tis not of death alone, mother, 

Mine is no craven soul; 
But how shall I atone, mother. 

If tonight I reach the Goal ? 

I ask the question o*er and o'er 

Until my eyes grow dim; 
I try to think of days of yore. 

And put my trust in Him; 
But 'midst the carnage, blood and strife, 

My thoughts oft go astray. 
While seeing comrades yielding life 

In this unholy fray. 

Mayhap, dear mother, e'er you get 

This letter from your boy. 
The Lord will show an answer yet 

To fill my heart with joy; 
Perhaps 'tis but as sport for kings. 

He meant that men should be. 
Not men, but merely human 'things,' 

Fettered and never free. 

My dearest mother, do not weep, 
You smiled your last farewell; 

Page twenty-five 



SONGS OF PEACE AND WAR 



Though tear-drops to your eyes would creep» — 

I saw them as they fell; 
But hark, I hear the bugles* call! 

They sound again the charge! 
I pray dear mother, if I fall. 

You ... . 

FORGIVE 

You shall live in the brightest of beautiful bowers, — 
There I'll speed on the wings of a dove; 

There'll be music and sunshine and beautiful flowers. 
And all shall be yours, my sweet love. 

I will fold you again in fondest embrace, 
I will cherish you, dear, while I live. 

If once more I may gaze on your beautiful face. 
And hear from your lips, "I forgive!" 

In a moment of madness I strayed from your side; — 

Could my life for the error atone. 
For one hour I would claim you, my beautiful bride. 

Then suffer in silence, alone. 

Oh, banish the thought! Let me live once again ! 

Let me bathe in the sunshine a while ! 
Tell me, dearest, once more, that you bid me remain. 
And bless me again with your smile. 
Page twenty-six 



SONGS OF PEACE AND WAR 



ON TO THE TRENCHES 

"Fall in! Fall in! Follow the drum and fife! 
Though you may be somewhat raw. 
You are needed in the war, 
Come along and stop your jaw, — 
The Country needs your life! 

"Fall in! Fall in! Give us a merry song! 
Take your Krag and join the host, 
Little matter if you're lost, — 
But an atom at the most, — 
One of a million strong! 

"Forward! Forward! It's three days at the front! 
Out there where the cannons roar, 
Crouching when the shrapnel soar. 
Dodging bullets by the score, 
Oh, 'tis a glorious hunt! 

"Come along! Come along! Now the column starts! 
Strap the knapsack on your back, 
Follow o'er the muddy track, 
At the foe we'll take a crack. 
Aim at their heads and hearts! 

"Forward! Forward! Only a final wrench! 
Now, my boy, you're looking fit; 
In the fight, if you are hit. 
You'll have done your little bit, 
There in the foremost trench! 

Page twenty-seven 



~ i 1 11 n H 11 ■■ 11 11 I 

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SONGS OF PEACE AND WAR 



A VISION \ 

As I lay one night a-dreaming, 

A vision came to me; ! 

I dreamed that all the seeming I 

Was altered into be; ] 

That all the fabrication \ 

At last was changed to facty \ 
And every warring nation 

Had signed a peaceful pact. 

I woke, my pulses trembling; j 

I wondered if I aniy I 

Or was I but dissembling, — j 
(My dream was but a sham ?) 

Then again the sun shone brightly 1 

And shed his golden flood 
Upon a world unsightly 

In scenes of strife and blood; j 

My soul was rent with sorrow, ' I 

I prayed that war might cease, — \ 

The sun shine on the morrow, — j 

The day of dawning peace. '• 

May kings cast off their blindness i 

And see the Father's plan, I 

To rule the world with kindness !; 

In Brotherhood of Man. ] 

Page twenty-eight 



SONGS OF PEACE AND WAR 



BOW-LEGGED BILL 

This is the story of Bow-legged Bill 
Who owned a claim up on a hill, 

Full twenty miles from camp; 
Bill had no coin and little talk, 
No hoss nor mule, and had to walk 

That lonely mountain tramp. 

He'd come to town to get his stake. 
Strap on his kit, just one drink take. 

Then hike back to his cabin; 
The boys all liked the simple freak. 
And hoped he'd strike a good pay-streak; 

Bill said 'twas **Darned poor grabbin'." 

Well, one day, Sam, the three-card shark. 
Met Bow-legged Bill just after dark. 

And Bill was feeling glum; 
Said he, "Fve druv thet pesky drift 
Every day with a double shift; 

Now I guess ril go back hum.'* 

Then Sam put up some monte game 
Whereby he got the mining claim. 

And old Bill got a souse; 
He paid his stake, then blew the town, 
And did the whole blamed thing up brown 

In one prolonged carouse. 

Page twenty-nine 



SONGS OF PEACE AND WAR 



Sam hired a gang to work the claim, 

They drifted one foot on the same, j 

And struck a shoot of ore: '\ 

They packed some down, a ton or so, \ 

Three hundred ounces it would go, , 

Sam said he had lots more. j 

The stuff was piled, sack after sack, ; 

Down on the flat near the railroad track, ' 

And the gang stood loafing round; ; 

When there came a hush, all lips were still, ! 



Along came surging Bow-legged Bill 
And asked them what they*d found. 

When Sam stepped out and said the lot 
Was broken down with a single shot. 

We thought he'd weaken, rather; 
But Bill instead, just shook his head: 
'When I sell another claim," he said, 
"I'll drift just one foot farther." 




Page thirty 



SONGS OF PEACE AND WAR 



THE INVASION BEGINS 

Joe Baptiste, not liking his home in Canada during the strenuous war 
times, packs his portmanteau and with his wife Susette seeks freedom and 
employment in the States. 

**I tink, by gar, I moov down States, 
Dere all mans dey be free; 
Susette 'nd me, we emigrates. 
Ma wife, he cum wit me. 

**Dese mans up here talk grat big war, 
Dat mak me mooch afrait; 
I don know wat dis fitin' for. 

But guns, — dey shoot tres straight. 

**Dat Sultan man say **holi war," 
De Zar hees ikon kees; 
Beeg Kiser man, he fite, by gar, 
He tink dat war be hees. 

"Bien-vite le prayer, en suite bataille, 
Each mans de odder hates; — 
I no go fite wit dat canaille, 
I hike down Unite States. 

"Aliens, cherie, pack portmanteau. 

We keep away dis war; 
Joost cum along wit hosband Jo, 
Adieu dis Canadah!" 

Page thirty-one 



SONGS OF PEACE AND WAR 



HOMEWARD BOUND ] 

Joe and Susettc, not finding conditions in the States exactly to their liking, i 

are hiking back to their beloved Canada. j 

"I tink, by gar, I gon me bak — :! 

Vivre en Canadah; ^ 

Down States all beezness vera slak — .. 
No job be wurs dan war. 

"Susette 'nd me joost want sum hire j 

In mill — maybe bazaar; j 

All mans we ask dey only fire \ 

Us out de door, so far. I 

"I tink me smart to mak retreat j 
When talk of grat big fite; 

But dere we get lots grub to eat — I 

Down here we don get bite. I 

**In Unite States lots man want job, | 

When dey be sans le sou; j 

Bimeby dey joost go steal 'nd rob — j 

No got ting else can do. I 

'Tlenti bons hommes kill in war, \ 

Den dey die vera quik — \ 
No work — les hommes gon starve, by gar. 

Den dey be long time sik. j 

Page thirty-two 



SONGS OF PEACE AND WAR 



'*N avant, cherie, pack portmanteau! 

Tak Montreal stim car! 
Grub he be vera scarce belo, 

Mangeons en Canadah!" 



\> "b 



THE ISLAND OF DREAMS 

Close your eyes, darling, — we'll sail, we'll sail, 

Far away to the Island of Dreams; 
We're sure of a welcome there without fail, 

Everything there like Fairyland seems. 
We'll haul our boat high on the pebbly beach. 

And roam far away o'er the fields; 
We'll ask the Fairy folk to teach 

Baby sweet dreams while to slumber he yields. 

We'll stay there snug till the break of day, 

While we learn all the fairy lore; 
When baby awakes he'll come back and play 

In the garden with mother once more. 
When baby's blue eyes again open wide, 

And the world with bright sunshine gleams. 
We'll tell of our sail on the gentle tide 

And our stay in the Island of Dreams. 

Page thirty-three 



SONGS OF PEACE AND WAR 



THE "PORTSMOUTH" 

The frigate "Portsmouth", once the pride of the navy, after 79 years of hon- 
orable service, was, in September, 1915, completely dismantled and towed 
to a point in Boston harbor where she was burned to the water's edge. 

The "Portsmouth" carried 22 guns which made ordnance history, and for 
the first time showed the world the efficiency of explosive shells in battering 
heavy masonry previously deemed impregnable. This was in 1851, during 
the attack on the "Barrier Forts" of Canton in the China campaign. 

Now we stand aghast as each towering mast 

Falls to devouring flame 
In cauldron hot where with shell and shot 

We wrought her glorious fame. 

Hear the grand hulk roar as the bright sparks soar 

To future haven above, 
Where they'll form on high in an astral sky 

The stately shape we love. 

For on ether wave she will find her grave 

Like jewelled diadem, 
While her timbers* crack *mid smoke-wreaths black 

Resound in requiem. 

And the last to flee, seeking apogee, 

In distant mystic world, 
Are those shining stars and the crimson bars 

Of ensign bold unfurled. 
Page thirty-four 



SONGS OF PEACE AND WAR 



THE RETURN OF THE HEROES 

They are watching, listening, waiting, 

From the throng there's scarce a hum; 
While each heart beats fast, pulsating 

To the sound of beaten drum; 
And the heavens above them arching, 

Back the strains of music fling; 
As they're marching, marching, marching,— 

The vast army of the king. 

They are viewed by stern inspector. 

As they wheel and march along; 
No one views the dark, grim spectre 

Hovering o'er that moving throng; 
Ah, yes, see that anxious mother. 

Searching every upturned face; 
And that sister seeking brother. 

Marching there with steady pace. 

See that wife with wet eyes straining, 

With a look of deep unrest. 
Dumb with anguish, uncomplaining, 

Clasping infant to her breast; 
In her vision looms the shadow 

Of the spectre dark and grim, 
As she sees herself a widow. 

Without loved one, — without him. 

Pa^e thirty-five 



SONGS OF PEACE AND WAR 



They are waiting, listening, watching, 

Hark! the distant, muffled sound 
Of the army slowly marching 

O'er the hard and frozen ground; 
And the hearts of all are trembling, — 

In the van the spectre dread. 
Once again his host assembling, — 

The vast army of the dead. 

Slowly now the troops are massing; 

From the throng a cry of woe, 
And each head is bared as passing 

Through the ranks the heroes go; 
File by file 'neath sombre covering. 

Whilst the silent, tearful throng 
Sees above the dark shape hovering 

As the cortege moves along. 

Now the silent throng disperses, — 
See the mothers, sisters, wives; 
"Honor" poorly reimburses 

For their ruined, broken lives; 
Comfort none in time-worn story. 
Gone the essence, lost the pith 
Of the words, "He died for glory," 
"Fame" to them is hopeless myth. 



Page thirty-six 



SONGS OF PEACE AND WAR 



THE SCARLET WOMAN 

Aye, shun me as a thing accursed, 

Ye righteous ones, in sin well versed 
To sit in judgment; while the throng below 

Doth greet with jeers my naked woe. 

Shorn of its mask my sordid fate 

The subject of thy scorn and hate; 
Stands stripped the spectre of my soul, alas, 

Where mocking crowds may gaze, — and pass. 

And as ye gaze with withering glance. 
Search well thy souls, and if perchance 

The serpent of my sin lies lurking there. 
All ye who spurn me now beware! 

If shameless shackles I would flee. 

In future years my destiny 
May be to stand among ye firm, alone. 

Where once my youthful graces shone. 

Virtue is but a woman's foil. 

Around which tempting serpents coil. 

To lure her on the primrose path of sin, 
Where vilest vampires dwell within. 

Page thirty-seven 



SONGS OF PEACE AND WAR 



Avoid that path, or if yeVe trod 
Its devious ways, pray to thy God 

That He may guide thee, ope thine eyes to see 
*Tis best to stand alone, — and free. 

THE QUITTERS AND THE STAYER 

OR, Tom Aspinwall^s Luck in Cripple Creek 

A kicker kicked because he heard 

Some other kicker say. 
That somewhere, somehow, he'd got word 

Of mines that did not pay; 
Most every time that kicker *d speak. 

He'd have some yarn to tell 
Of mining on a barren streak 

Or sinking some dry well. 

He told how on a certain night 

He had a frightful dream. 
Of how a widow lost her mite 

In some fictitious scheme. 
Both day and night he worked his jaws. 

Exposing schemes called rash; — 
And then he started framing laws 

To guard the people's cash. 
Page thirty-eight 



SONGS OF PEACE AND WAR 



The tax-rate *s high in Bordertown, 

New settlers shun the place, 
While every townsman wears a frown, — 

There's longing on each face; 
And only one among them all 

Now wears a smiling glance; 
They call him **01d Tom Aspinwall, 

The man who took a chance." 

One day his neighbors stood aghast, — 

The rumor traveled 'round 
That Tom had landed right at last, — 

A source of riches found; 
New wealth appeared to come in loads 

To their old friend serene. 
Who soon was travelling country roads 

In his new limousine. 

At last from all the envious crew 

Three men were singled out. 
To see if they could find a clew 

And end each anxious doubt. 
They found Tom with the same old grin. 

Just sitting in the shade; 
Cried he, "Hello, boys! Come right in 

And hev some lemonade! 

'Here, Saunders, put away thet pipe, 
And smoke a good seegar! 

Page thirty-nine 



SONGS OF PEACE AND WAR 



Yes, Bill, you'll find them peaches ripe, — 
The first you've seen so far? 

What's thet? You'd like to hev me tell 
Of how I made my pile? 

I'd like to spin thet yarn right well 
If you'll all stay a while. 

"You all remember how one night 

We went to hear thet bloke 
Who give us sich an awful fright. 

And said we'd all go broke 
If we bought stock in ary mine, 

Or gambled wealth in oil; — 
Oh, what he said all sounded fine 

To men who till the soil. 

"And how you flocked on 'Lection Day 
To vote fer thet new law; 
Old Haskins there, I heerd him say, 

Thet bill finds every flaw. 
We'll license all the dreams of wealth. 

And every salesman-cuss 
Will hev to show a bill of health 
To sell his stock to us!' 

"Thet kicker done his work right well; 
And got all you folks scared, 
Till in a case of buy or sell 
Not one among you dared. 
V age forty 



SONGS OF PEACE AND WAR 



His words they sounded very frank 

Until he said our pelf 
Should all go in a savings bank; — 

And he runs one himself. 

"You fellers hed thet scairy mood, 

So I jist packed my grip 
And thought Td look fer somethin good 

While on a pleasure trip. 
In days gone by I've lost a lot, — 

But not my courage though; 
I thought I'd try another shot 

And put up some more dough. 

"They don't tack 'quitter' to my name, 

And I've a spunky wife; 
So we stayed in and played the game. 

And now we're fixed fer life. 
One day I heerd a feller speak 

About a great big strike, 
Down in a place called 'Cripple Creek,' — 

Thet's where we took a hike. 

"Back here you fellers all opine 
Thet every mine's a fraud; 
But your opinion was'nt mine. 

And I've got my reward. 
The men I saw who knew the biz 
All tried to put me straight; 

Page forty-one 



SONGS OF PEACE AND WAR 



We formed a pool, — now our stock's riz, — 
We're called The Lucky Eight*! 

*I s'pose to you it must seem queer 

To see my sudden rise, 
And all the signs of comfort here 

Must cause you some surprise; 
YouVe passed thet vote and locked the door 

To chances good or bad, 
But some, I guess, feel pretty sore, — 

Don't none of you seem glad. 

*But cheer up, boys, thet law you made 

Kin be wiped off the books; 
I guess you'll find 'restraint of trade* 

Is 'bout how thet thing looks; 
And if you want some more advice. 

If fortune you would seek, 
Jist pack your grips and pay the price 

Of fares to Cripple Creek." 




Page forty-two 



SONGS OF PEACE AND WAR 



THE OMEN 

Ho! send thy fury on its flight, — 

Armed arrow of the air; 
The trembling hosts are all afright, 

'Twill find its target there: 
The old, the blind, the maimed, the weak, 

The mothers, babes, and wives; 
So may thy vaunted "kultur" speak, — 

Oh, spare no helpless lives! 

Ho! send thy demon on the deep, — 

Sly serpent of the sea; 
An unarmed ship is seen to creep 

Like charmed prey to thee. 
As shrieking victims of thy hate 

Sink to a watery grave. 
So may thy "valor" demonstrate. 

By deed so bold and brave. 

Ho! send thy minions in their might, — 

Staunch soldiers forth to slay; 
Theirs but to conquer in the fight. 

To struggle, — ah, but stay — 
The foe thy courage vain assumes. 

Why slaughter, wound, and maim ? 
Send first a stream of noxious fumes. 

Thy "science" 'twill proclaim. 

Fage forty -three 



SONGS OF PEACE AND WAR 



Hark! List the warning of the sage, — 

This truthful omen send: 
Thy book of fate another page 

Will turn, and then the end; 
The end of every wanton deed, 

The dawning of the day 
When cries of helpless souls thou'lt heed, 

Ah, then thou'lt pay, — thou'lt pay. 

SHADOWS IN A POOL 

Deep in a pool the shadows lie, 
While fleecy clouds are floating by, 
And with opal's rainbow hues 
The sunset's golden rays diffuse 
Tints of rose, and gold, and porphyry. 

The stately trees shade mirrored stream 
And hide the sunlight's flashing gleam. 
While the shadows lying deep 
Are golden brown and softly creep, — 
Weird and soft as a Naiad's dream. 

And where the pool lies dark as night. 
The silv'ry gleam of fishes bright 
Page forty-four 



SONGS OF PEACE AND WAR 



Mars the mirror's placid calm; 
While o'er the scene there lies a charm,- 
A mystic spell of strange delight. 

Birches slender their branches dip 
Into the pool, and from them drip 
Sparkling crystals, jewels rare, 
And no one sees them shining there, 
Save a maid as she stoops to sip. 

She stops to gaze in glad surprise 
At the picture that greets her eyes, — 
Auburn tresses, cheeks of rose. 
Their beauty in the pool disclose, — 
She lingers as the sunset dies. 

The maiden lingers in the dell. 

Till in the valley tolls a bell; 
While shadows of the dying day 
Aslant the pool cast ghostly ray, — 

The curfew breaks the eerie spell. 




Page forty-five 



SONGS OF PEACE AND WAR 



OH, PITY THE WISHES 

Oh, pity the wishes of yesterday! — 

The hopes that are nil. 

The hearts that are still. 
The friends that have gone from us astray. 

Oh, pity the wishes of yesterday! — 

The time that was lost 

At such terrible cost. 
Which midst revel and laughter was frittered away. 

Oh, pity the wishes of yesterday! — 

When we saw our good name 

Turned by slander and shame 
Into naught but a football for gossip to play. 

Oh, pity the wishes of yesterday! — 

When the sun was all bright 

And the heavens were blue, 
When we thought our beloved was tender and true, 
*Til by storm-clouds of anguish our temples turned gray. 

Oh, pity the wishes of yesterday! — 

But why should we fear 

When tomorrow's bright dawn 

May be smiling and clear. 
And once more we'll have cause to be happy and gay? 
Page forty-six 



SONGS OF PEACE AND WAR 



A MAIDEN'S REVERIE 

As gently drifting down the stream, 
While waving branches sway above me; 
My thoughts are wandering in a dream, 
The branches whisper, "Dear, I love thee!" 
I dare not speak, e'en though I will — 
My heart is full, my lips are still; 
My love is written in my eyes, 
And with thy hand in mine, 
The truth that in my heart, dear, lies, 
Each clasp's a message unto thine: 
No need my love in words to tell — 
The truth my glances speak so well. 

The stream of life seems ever clear 
In youth, no sign of stormy weather; 
I wonder if you'll hold me dear 
Through future years, as we together 
Float down life's stream e'er side by side — 
Wilt love me ever as a bride? 
I gaze, dear, in your eyes of blue. 
And read my answer there; 
I know your heart will e'er be true 
Through life, each joy and grief we'll share; 
And may that life be one sweet dream, 
As mine today on crystal stream. 

Page forty-seven 



SONGS OF PEACE AND WAR 



OH, PITY THE FISHES! \ 

:i 

When bubbles arise on the water, 

And gently float up on the shore, | 

It's a sign the fishes are sleeping, j 

Since bubbles arise when they snore. | 

When light flecks of foam with the bubbles, i 

Are swept to the shore by the breeze, i 

It shows that some submarine tickle ii 

Has caused a big lobster to sneeze. j 



The codfish sleeps sounder than sculpin. 
The eel stops its wiggle and glide, 
The flounder, being rounder, sleeps sounder 
Than all other fishes beside. 

Speak softly at night on the water, — 
Remember that silence will help 
The repose of the dear little fishes 
Who sleep 'midst the weeds and the kelp. 

When there's a dead calm on the briny, 
And the moon casts her rays o'er the deep. 
Do not splash with your oars, but soft pedal,- 
Snore on, little fish, in your sleep! 



Page forty-eight 



SONGS OF PEACE AND WAR 



JUST FIGHT 

When you feel temptation move you 

And your soul is on the rack; 
When fate seems e'er to shove you 

From the straight and narrow track; 
When those who do not love you 
Paint your fame in color black, 
Seek help from Heaven above you, 

AND 
DON'T 
TURN 
BACK! 

When some acquaintance meets you. 

Claiming he's your loyal friend; 
And at the time he greets you, 

Does but try your will to bend; 
While often he entreats you, 

"Take a glass of amber blend!" 
Remember that's what beats you, 
AND 

FIGHT 

TO 

THE 

END! 



Page forty-nine 



SONGS OF PEACE AND WAR 



THE PIE-EATING CONTEST 

"Old Jimmy Russ was a lanky cuss born with an appetite, 
When he set his eyes on cakes or pies he ate all within sight; 
He took all heats in the game of *eats* and vanquished every 

foe; 
If the game was 'fast' he was always last or wouldn't play, 

you know. 

"His great renown in our home town as the champion eater 

there, 
Soon traveled wide o'er the country side and people came to 

stare; 
When they looked at Jim so long and slim instead of round 

and short; 
Where he stored the grub was the greatest rub according to 

report. 

"In Muscagee lived Bill McKee, who was famed for eating pie. 
When he heard of Jim, said, 'I'll fix him,' and sent him a defy; 
He bet his rig 'gainst Jim's fat pig that he could win the race 
In a fair contest at an eating fest held any time or place. 

"We'll ne'er forget Jim took that bet and vowed 'twas his intent 
To hold the match on his meadow patch in a regular circus 
tent; 
Pagefijty 



SONGS OF PEACE AND WAR 



The announcement said at a dime a head we could see the 

great contest, 
Where each on his mettle forever would settle which man was 

the best. 

"Twas as expected pie was selected (there*s been a shortage 

since), 
When it came to choice in united voice they cried, 'We'll 

make it mince!' 
Widow Brown's nice pies caused much surprise piled up in 

luscious dome; 
Jim said with sighs he could eat mince pies until the cows 

came home. 



"To see who*d win as he worked his chin had caused such wide 

comment. 
That the rivals found when the day came round spectators 

filled the tent; 
The stage looked grand as the home-town band struck up 

some lively airs. 
And none were wise to the mock mince-pies stacked up behind 

the chairs. 



"They both had trust that beneath the crust would be found 
some juicy meat. 
And no one spoke of an awful joke as each man took his seat; 

P^se fifty-one 



SONGS OF PEACE AND WAR 



They started eating, our hearts were beating, when there came i 

a great surprise, — ; 

'Twas the widow's son began the fun; it seems he'd *fixed' | 

those pies. \ 

"Bill started first, guess his was worst, for he came to sudden ; 

halt, j 

Then he spat it out and gave a shout, "By gum, its filled with 

salt!" 
He tried one more and then he swore and showed us quite a I 

stepper, | 

His glance was wild as he looked for the child who filled that '. 

pie with pepper. 

"He raised the lid and there was hid a lot of red cayenne; 
When he finished sneezing 'twas scarcely pleasing to listen to [ 

him then; | 

He vowed in disgust that beneath each crust which looked so j 

nice and brown 
Would be found some stuff placed as a bluff by some bad boy 

in town. ! 

"Jim tried one too and the air was blue with the words that ! 
came from him; ) 

He said 'twas rotten to fill with cotton a mince-pie to the brim; 
That stopped the feed and a wild stampede took place all 
over town. i 

Page fifty-two 



— ■■ ■»- 



SONGS OF PEACE AND WAR 



As they searched for a kid who was safely hid named Tommie 
Adams Brown. ^ 

"Tom kept cover till all blew over while home to Muscagee 
Went Bill in a fuss while Jimmie Russ went on a prolonged 

spree; 
It soon calmed down in the old home town but 'twill never 

be forgotten 
How Bill found fault with the widow's salt and how Jim 

chewed the cotton.*' 




Page fijty-three 



SONGS OF PEACE AND WAR ] 



THE LITTLE TRAPPER _• 

Joe SpofFord was a graceless chap | 

Who always felt a handicap \ 

In being five foot six; ; 

If he was short his gab was long, | 
He'd spin a yarn or sing a song, 

Or do some juggler tricks. | 

\ 

Joe always made the village hum, ; 

When battling with the demon rum, | 

Then he was quite a scrapper; j 

His tale of woolly Western fray i 

Soon gained for him the soubriquet ' 

Of ''Joe, the Little Trapper." \ 

J 
When Joe was soused the world was his'n, 

Or else that day the sun had risen ji 

On some new world he owns; | 

With two-bit piece he'd take the air ' 

Of bloated multimillionaire I 

And work his friends for loans. i 

i 

Joe wed an ancient dame named ''Fan," \ 

And then his troubles all began, ; 

Poor Joseph couldn't shake her; j 

Pag^ fijty-jour \ 



SONGS OF PEACE AND WAR 



When drunk he loudly would aver, 
"The only man to marry her 
Should be the undertaker." 

Well, one day Joe, with mournful jag, 
Worked off a rather gruesome gag, 

And said old Fan had died; 
He moaned, and groaned, and acted queer, 
Drank quarts of booze and lager beer, — 

'Twas awful when he cried. 

The boys all knew his old wife Fan, 
And felt so sad when Joe began 

The cloud-act when it rains, 
That Saunders passed around a basket. 
And gathered coin to buy a casket 

For Fannie's last remains. 

We dolled Joe up in suit of black. 
Of sympathy there was no lack. 

Then awaited the last sad rite; 
The days went by, 'twas soon a week. 
Of obsequies Joe'd never speak. 

Though acting most contrite. 

At last one day Bill Saunders stated, 
"I guess old Fan hez bin cremated. 
And nigh as I kin learn; 



SONGS OF PEACE AND WAR 



When corpse arrives at sich a junction, ] 

It don't need hearse nor costly function, i 

All it need's an urn." 

Joe left one day by early train, j 

He said he'd soon be back again; | 

It seems Fan owned some land, ; 

i 

And he must see the very ground, ) 

And have the title changed around, '; 

Made out to him first hand. \ 

While he was gone back came to life ; 

The "Little Trapper's" much-mourned wife i 

Was seen by all to stroll ;; 

Slowly down the village street, ; 

Her neighbors she was seen to greet, J 

Our wrath was past control. '\ 



The sight of Fan in gingham wrapper 
Rang the knell for "Little Trapper"; 

The boys vowed they'd not fail 
To meet him at the railroad car 
With feathers, brush, and pail of tar. 

And ride him on a rail. 

The whole program was carried out. 
With many a noisy yell and shout. 
And lots of Joe's palaver; 
Pag^ Jiffy-six 



SONGS OF PEACE AND WAR 



Cried he, **Don't scotch my tender skin, 
I won't make Fannie dead agin, — 
Don't make me a cadaver!" 

Old Fannie nearly died that night, 
Her little Joe was such a sight. 

He sure was far from dapper; 
The neighbors now are heard to say, 
"We think old Fannie's passed away 

With 'Joe, the Little Trapper.' " 




Page fifty-seven 



SONGS OF PEACE AND WAR 



MEMORIAL POEM 

Lines written to a departed friend) 

Stilled is the heart of our loved one, 

Silent the lips we have prest, 
Speeding his soul to that heavenly goal, 

In the land of eternal rest. 

Straight to the arms of the Shepherd, 

In fold of sweet peace above, 
The spirit has flown of lamb we have known, 

On wings of the Angel of Love. 

Not in the ranks of the mighty. 
Midst clangor and din of strife. 

E'er would he seek the ways of the meek 
On his chosen pathway of life. 

In walks of the lowly and loving. 
Striving the weak to befriend. 

With e'er a kind deed for brother in need, 
This path he pursued to the end. 

He was a noble example 

Of God's most wonderful plan. 

His marvelous way to fashion of clay 
In His image the soul of man. 
Page fifty-eight 



SONGS OF PEACE AND WAR 



TO GREECE 

O Spartan Greece! O land of Troy! 

Art thou a pawn? Or art alloy 
To fuse with swirling, seething mass 

That flowed o'er plain and mountain pass? 
In this, the mightiest of wars, 

Wilt thou obey the call of Mars, 
Or counsel on Olympus seek? 

Will mighty Zeus thy course bespeak? 

Thy sacred soil the alien trod, 

Now seek ye guidance from thy God; 
Bid Socrates his wisdom bring, 

And let thine ancient forum ring; 
Or gather in thy columned hall, 

While from afar like clarion call 
There comes a mighty, vibrant voice 

Which bids thee haste, "Make choice! Make choice!* 



P^gf fifty-nine 



SONGS OF PEACE AND WAR 



L'ENVOI 

MY OWN SWEETHEART 

I have tried to find words most intense, dear, 

To make harmony vibrant and strong; 
I have tried every metre and tense, dear. 

To weave into beautiful song; 
I have conjured the power of my muse, dear, 

Bade fancy to marshall its host; 
All attempts to weave you I confuse, dear, — 

My threads become tangled or lost. 

Could each word be a garland of roses, 

Each letter a beautiful flower, 
I could weave, then, a song that composes 

Sweet strains of a heavenly power; 
I would gladden the world with my cadence. 

Make music some angelic throng 
Could sing, my own love, of thy fragrance. 

In notes of a heavenly song. 

Music by mortal seems bestial 

When sung in terrestrial way; 
'Tis paeans from voices celestial 

Should tell oi thy charms in a lay; 
My song, then, would peal through the ages, 

Its strains through the world clearly ring; 
A song would appear on these pages 

Which even the angels could sing. 
Page sixty 



